Chapter 27. Learning Martial Arts (2)

After briefly setting aside the Heavenly King Heart Method, I unfolded the Iron Thread Protective Heart Technique, which was a manual for external martial arts. Fortunately, the content was somewhat easier to understand, and it was so appealing that it felt like it was made just for me.

According to the manual, once mastered, this technique would strengthen one's muscles, increase flexibility, and toughen the skin to the point where it would not easily be cut by blades.

For someone like me who often faces blade attacks, there was no more suitable martial art.

In fact, in the civilian world where martial arts are not well understood, external techniques are generally less valued than internal techniques. However, for practitioners like me who are on the front lines, external techniques are often more highly regarded.

Becoming a master through internal techniques takes a long time, but becoming a master through external techniques does not take as long.

Of course, if such a quick-made master encounters a properly trained internal master, they would likely be at a disadvantage due to the nature of their external techniques. However, this is not a major issue since one can also learn internal techniques. Proper masters usually master both internal and external techniques.

"Let's see. Hmm... First, apply oil all over your body, then beat yourself with a wooden rod wrapped in cloth?"

While it seemed like I was entering the path of a pervert, this training method actually had its own meaning. In this uncivilized martial world where there is no body lotion, beating your body without preparation would quickly damage the skin.

Enduring the discomfort, I applied the sticky oil all over my body and beat myself with a wooden rod wrapped in cloth. Indeed, compared to just beating myself, the frequency of injuries and the speed of skin recovery were much better.

From then on, I practiced the Iron Thread Protective Heart Technique in my room, circulating my inner energy according to the manual. I also boiled and drank the medicine for protecting the body from internal injuries as described in the manual.

Since there was nothing else to do and I couldn't understand the Heavenly King Heart Method, I just focused on mastering the Iron Thread Protective Heart Technique.

After about a week of daily practice without fail, I could clearly feel that my skin had become tougher. When I lightly scratched my skin with a dagger, only a red mark remained, as if my skin had turned into cowhide.

Of course, it would still be cut with more force, but considering the results after just one week, it was quite impressive.

'If I keep this up for a few years, my skin might become tough enough to resist blades.'

The next training method described in the manual involved striking a basin filled with sand to strengthen the back of the hands and palms. It was written that with continuous practice, one could break or grab a blade with bare hands, a technique known as "Empty Hand into White Blade."

'This is really good.'

While it would be ideal to always have a weapon in hand during a fight, things don't always go as planned in real situations.

Sometimes you might lose your weapon or find yourself in a situation where you can't use one. Being able to effectively use your bare hands in such situations is a significant advantage.

Every day, I stripped to the waist, applied oil to my body, and started beating the sand-filled basin that I had prepared in advance.

As I was in the middle of this, I started to sweat.

*Knock knock*

'Is it already lunch time?'

In the Central Plains, two meals a day were the norm, and there was no lunch. To be precise, there was no lunch, but people would eat a light snack or something to stave off hunger.

For me, a modern person, this was difficult to endure, so I would always ask the waiter to bring me dumplings and noodles for lunch.

*Knock knock knock*

"Come in."

When I opened the door boldly, it was not the waiter but Wei Jiyan.

"?!?"

"Ugh..."

Why is she here?

Seeing my shirtless appearance, Wei Jiyan looked extremely flustered.

"..., I have revised the Qinghong Sword Technique as I mentioned before..."

Wei Jiyan, covering her face with her hand and turning her head, struggled to speak.

I quickly covered myself.

"Shouldn't you have given some notice?"

"I didn't expect you to be like this..."

"Please wait a moment."

I closed the door, quickly wiped off the oil with a towel, and put on my shirt. As a result, some oil that wasn't fully wiped off got on my clothes.

I'll have to wash these clothes...

With that thought, I opened the door again.

"Please come in."

"..., I'll come in then."

Now that I think about it, this is the first time I've invited a woman into my room.

"Thank you for bringing it yourself. How did you know where to find me?"

I asked while pouring tea. The tea I had received earlier was already cold, which was just right for me. Wei Jiyan, seeing the cold tea, tilted her head in confusion but drank it without comment.

In the Central Plains, tea is always served hot, so I always have to receive it early and let it cool down.

Tea is best when it's cold.

"I asked the escort agency, and they said you were here."

"Oh, right."

I had left an emergency contact at the escort agency, just in case something happened during my vacation.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, thanks to you. Thank you for your concern."

Wei Jiyan was currently staying at the Baiyun Escort Agency's Meiyang branch with Pang Gui, recovering from the effects of the poison.

Both were still affected by the poison, and after the incident became known, they received a severe scolding from the head of the Pang family, so they were too afraid to return home.

According to what I heard, the head of the Pang family had written a large poster with 96-point font saying, "I thought you were just going to visit a friend, but I didn't expect you to do such a dangerous thing! When you come home, I'll break your legs so you can never leave the house again!"

'If it were me, I wouldn't be able to bear it if my child almost died.'

So, they decided to stay in Meiyang until the head of the Pang family calmed down. As a result, Wei Jiyan was also tied to Meiyang.

After drinking some more tea, Wei Jiyan started to talk about the main topic.

"First, as you requested, I revised the sword technique so that it is not heavily influenced by the cultivation method."

What I had asked Wei Jiyan to do was to interpret and modify the Qinghong Sword Technique.

The Qinghong Sword Technique I had obtained was only half-complete because it required the unique cultivation method of the Qinghong Sword School to fully unleash its power.

The essence of the Qinghong Sword Technique was its ability to emit a unique sword energy that could counter an opponent's sword energy, but this was only possible if one had mastered the Qinghong Sword School's unique cultivation method.

Of course, I can't use sword energy, but I still felt it was a waste, so I asked Wei Jiyan if it was possible to modify it so that it wouldn't be limited by the cultivation method. After skimming through the manual, she said it might be possible.

So, I took this opportunity to humbly ask her to modify the Qinghong Sword Technique. When else would I have the chance to meet a master of her caliber?

Fortunately, she agreed to help, saying it was a matter of life and death.

"Here is the revised version."

Wei Jiyan handed me a book with the modified Qinghong Sword Technique.

"Thank you for your hard work."

"No, it wasn't that difficult. Most of the work had already been done by Shi Wang."

Modifying a completed martial art usually requires a high level of understanding, which would have been too much for Wei Jiyan, but in this case, it was different.

Yun Junsub had already done most of the interpretation and modification.

"Shi Wang probably wanted to incorporate the essence of the Qinghong Sword Technique into his zombies."

"Zombies?"

"Yes. He was trying to figure out the method of energy circulation and incorporate it."

"Then what would have happened?"

"Probably... a zombie that is completely immune to protective energy. A monster zombie that is incredibly tough and cannot be approached in close combat due to its immunity to protective energy."

According to Wei Jiyan, the Qinghong Sword School, despite being a small school with a single lineage, was known for its unique sword energy that could counter protective energy.

This sword energy was extremely threatening, especially to those who primarily use fist techniques, as they focus more on protective energy.

"So, if hit, the protective energy would be penetrated, and one would be unable to fight with bare hands. It's quite terrifying."

"Yes. It would be more terrifying than most masters... If fully developed, even the Yun family would have to prepare for extinction."

Those who primarily use fist techniques must necessarily focus on protective energy and external techniques. The idea of a zombie that is immune to both is quite alarming.

I bowed deeply in gratitude and skimmed through the modified Qinghong Sword Technique she showed me.

...But this is quite difficult. I wonder if I can master it.

I sighed and closed the book.

"It's not easy at all. The Heavenly King Heart Method is also too difficult."

"They are all high-level martial arts. They cannot be mastered quickly."

"How much effort would it take to achieve mastery?"

"High-level martial arts require at least ten years of practice to see any significant results. The Heavenly King Heart Method and the Qinghong Sword Technique are no exception."

"Ten years!"

It would take less time to become a 7th-grade civil servant.

"And since you don't have a master, it will take even longer."

"That's true."

The difference in learning speed between studying under a professional instructor and self-studying is significant. My own lack of mathematical skills, still not knowing what sine, cosine, and tangent are, proves this.

I asked suddenly.

"Then, can Miss Wei teach me a bit?"

"Me?"

"Yes. Even if it's just until you leave, please. Even a short time would be great. I'll pay you generously."

My current financial status is in unprecedented surplus. Even if I pay Wei Jiyan a lot, it won't be a problem.

I had monetized most of the items obtained from the bandit hideout and received a reward through Bai Linghua for the successful resolution of the matter with the Jinzhu Yan family.

With the money I had received before, I now have over 500 silver taels, enough to not worry about money for a while.

Wei Jiyan looked troubled at my proposal.

"I don't have the qualifications to teach anyone..."

"Miss Wei, you have more than enough qualifications to teach me."

"..."

Wei Jiyan thought for a long time with a troubled expression.

"Even advice would be helpful."

"Alright, I understand."

"Thank you very much."

Finally getting her agreement, I grabbed her hands and shook them. Wei Jiyan was flustered but not displeased.

"Then, how about this much for the monthly fee?"

I showed her a number with my fingers. She was surprised.

"That's too much."

"Oh, it's not silver, but copper."

"..."

"I'm joking."

It's not working.

***

We moved to an open space near the Longmen Inn. It was a spacious place suitable for practicing martial arts, which I had already checked out before staying at the Longmen Inn. The martial arts training that started there... was a bit different from what I had expected.

"First, let's start with the horse stance."

She began to explain the benefits of the horse stance, known as the "horse stance cultivation technique" in the martial world, while I was sweating in the horse stance.

"The foundation of all martial arts starts with the lower body. Just as a tree needs a strong root to grow tall, martial arts are the same. Your lower body is too weak."

"I feel wronged."

I've never heard that my lower body is weak. I come from a family with thick thighs, and after rolling around in the martial world for three years, my thighs have been tough for a long time.

"You'll see. I really have a strong lower body. If you give me a chance, I'll show you."

"I know without seeing. You need to concentrate your mind and circulate your energy in the horse stance. Circulate your inner energy as I taught you."

However, she insisted on the horse stance, and I had to maintain the horse stance for over 30 minutes. When she finally said to stop, I barely managed to stand up with trembling legs.

"Your legs are shaking, aren't they? That's proof of your weakness."

"But I held it for a long time."

When you first try the horse stance, muscle cramps usually occur after 5 minutes. I could hold it for 30 minutes thanks to my previous practice.

"Today is the first day, so it's short, but you should aim to hold the horse stance for over an hour eventually."

"..."

"Then, let's move on to the sword technique..."

At that moment, I heard someone calling me from the side.

"Master Cheng?"

"Miss Wang?"

Looking up, I saw Wang Xi, the artist from the Chunhua Academy.